Automotive Cooling System

By Hunter Miller

What is it?

• A way to cool your engine using liquid.• Keeps engine at proper operating

temperature.(200 Degrees F)• Also has other functions such as running your

heater inside your car.

Components

• Radiator• Fan• Coolant• Water Pump• Heater Core• Thermostat

Radiator

• Made of Aluminum. • Allows hot coolant to cool.• Uses fins to guide air flow around coolant

hose.• Many have side tanks to cool other fluids as

well.

Fan

• Made of metal or plastic.• Either motor driven or electric.• Motor driven fans are usually used on Rear-

wheeled drive, and electric is used on Front-wheeled drive cars.

• Used to pull air through radiator to cool coolant.

• Usually used with a shroud made of plastic or metal to properly guide air flow.

Fans Cont.

• Most electric fans are connected to a thermostat which controls when they operate.

• Clutch fans are used to control engine operated fans. These engage at certain temperatures also but the clutch itself controls it.

Water Pump

• Centrifugal Design meaning the coolant is pushed outwards.

• This causes the fluid to move throughout the system.

• Pulley driven.

Thermostat

• Allows coolant to enter radiator once engine is at operating temperature.

• Helps engine stay at operating temperature.• Once engine cools it shuts again blocking off

the radiator.

Heater Core

• A small radiator located inside dash.• Once “heater” is turned on coolant is allowed

into heater core.• A fan called a blower motor then forces air

through heater core warming it and then blows it into car.

Coolant

• Most modern day coolant is ethylene glycol, also called antifreeze.

• Doesn’t freeze and has a higher boiling point then water so its more efficient.

• It is very toxic though and is harmful if swallowed. It is a bright green similar to the background of this to warn humans of what it is so its doesn’t get drank.

Coolant Cont.

• Has a sweet taste so sadly pets and other animals are attracted to it if not disposed of properly.

• Many new efficient non toxic coolants have been hitting the market such as propylene glycol.

Problems

• Leaks are the most common problem.• They can be tested for using a cooling system

pressure tester.• Usually a minor fix such as hoses, clamps, or

gaskets.• Other problems include component

malfunctions such as radiators, fans, thermostats or water pumps not working correctly.